15 



fon. pom-urn's fteport for 191142. 



rpHE Society's Library has been increased by several welcome 



additions during the year. There has been the usual inter- 

 change between kindred Societies and our own of Annual Reports 

 and Proceedings. 



To Mr. Arthur Gray we are indebted for a characteristic little 

 work entitled " The Kingdom of Man " by our esteemed President, 

 and for six more books which should be very useful to our botanical 

 and other sections. We have to thank Mr. Parkinson Curtis for 

 the gift of a book on the " Genitalia of the Noctuidae," with 

 numerous illustrations, for some numbers of " The Entomologist," 

 and for several reports and other pamphlets which, in some cases, 

 are of special local interest. From Mr. R. V. Sherring, whose 

 contributions to the Society have been remarkable both in number 

 and variety, we have received an excellent plate for our last volume 

 of Proceedings, three numbers previously missing from our set of 

 the British Association Annual, and other books and pamphlets. 

 Our Hon. Secretary has given us seven volumes issued by the 

 Somersetshire Archaeological Society, which are of exceptional 

 interest and value. 



Mr. de Castro has kindly presented five volumes of the 

 ' 1 Geographical Teacher," and Dr. H. Colley March some 

 " Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society of E. Anglia." Mr. G. 

 Brownen gives records of the Milford-on-Sea Society ; Mr. J. E. 

 Liddiard a book on volcanic eruptions and others of interest to our 

 Botanical Section. 



Finally, Dr. Crallan, whose gifts of books, etc., have been 

 little less than a continuous stream, has kept us up as usual in 

 current numbers of " Knowledge." He also promised as a parting 

 presentation, when he takes that step we all regret so deeply, 

 many other volumes, which will go far to fill existing gaps in 

 several of our serials. It may be added that any further gifts of 

 books of scientific value, or subscriptions towards the purchase of 

 some we badly want, will be heartily welcomed. 



It has become an accepted fact — if from some points of view 

 a somewhat regrettable one — that our Society cannot successfully 

 compete with the Bournemouth Public Library in acquiring the 

 latest and most valuable scientific works. Our funds will not per- 

 mit it. So far, however, from being dismayed at this, surely we 

 should unreservedly congratulate ourselves that it is determined 

 to supply the public of this town with books which will also be 

 found of the utmost value to this Society. It is even possible that 

 our Society has unwittingly applied a certain stimulus to the 

 acquisition of books by the Public Library of a superior class to 

 those usually associated with similar collections. 



In the meantime it is hoped to increase the attractions and 

 usefulness of our own library in such directions as may seem open 

 to us. 



